Telephone toll system.



`P`atented lune 26, 1900.

J. A. JoHys'oN.- TELEPHUNE TOLL SYSTEM.

(Application filed Hay 1, 1899.) 4 (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet L.

Hdgzsses @mm No'. 652,272. I l Patented june 2s, |900.

- J. A; JOHNSON. y

TELEPHUNE ToLL SYSTEM.

(Application filed May 1, 1899.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 e lll M I 1:-, 4.-. 415 459 i9 v we Norms PzTsnS to.PgoroLrmq. wnsnmmnN. n. c.

NtTnD STATES" PATENT OFFICE.

JOIIN A. JOHNSON, OF VAVELAND, INDIANA.

TELEPHONE TOLL SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 652,272, dated J une26, 1900.

Application tiled May l, 1899. Serial No. 715,126. No model.)

To t-Z whom it may con/cern: y

Be itknown that I, JOHNA. JOHNSON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Waveland, in the countyof Montgomery and State of Indiana,have invented a new and useful Telephone Toll System, of which thefollow? ing is a specification.

My invention relates to toll-indicating apparatus for use in connectionwith telephones or similar instruments, and it is to be used, primarily,in a central office and to be connected electrically to differentstations,where by an operator at a switchboard in the central office candetermine at a glance whether or not the correct amount has been placedby a customer or subscriber-in the receptacle adapted for the deposit ofthe coin, said apparatus being simple and not interfering with theordinary use of the lines--that is, where no charges are to be made forthe transmission of messages-and also being adapted to be easily andquickly installed at a comparatively-low cost. The appliance includes inits construction an indicating device, a pointer, step-by-step feedmechanism for controlling the action of the pointer, a magnet, thearmature of which serves to operate the step-by-step feed mechanism, andmeans governed by a coin for closing an electrical circuit through themagnet, the step-by-step 0peration of the pointer depending upon thedenomination ot' the coin inserted. In addition to thecoin-circuit-closing means a switch is employed which is within thereach of the central-otice operatorand which serves to throw theindicator mechanism out of or into the circuit. Normally said indicatormechanism is out of the circuitybut when a call is made it may beswitched in so that the coin may operate to control the actuatingdevices of the indicator. At the subscribers or customers telephone isarranged a coin-receptacle having a series of coinchutes provided withone or more spaced contact devices adapted to be struck by the coin,whereby the latter is successively brought into the circuit for thepurpose of making the proper indication at the central office. Thereforethe coin serves as the agent for securing the action of the magnet whichcontrols the operation of the pointer, the latter moving step by step inaccordance with the denomination of the coin. f

Further objects and advantages of this invention will appear in thefollowing description, and the novel features thereof will beparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a diagrammatic view of a telephone system,including toll-indicating mechanism constructed in accordance with myinvention. Fig. l"L is a diagrammatic View of a portion of the apparatusat the exchange-station to indicate the arrangement of parts when asingle indicating device is used in connection with a plurality ofcircuits or lines. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal central section of anindicating mechanism constructed in accordance with myinvention. Fig.2"L is a plan viewof the switch by which the relay shunt-circuit iscontrolled to cut out or cut in the indicating or registering device.Fig. 3 is a plan view, partly in section, of the coin-receptacle. Fig. 4is a longitudinal section of the coin-receptacle, taken on the planeindicated by the line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts in all thefigures of the drawings.

In the drawings I have illustrated a telephone system (see Fig. l) inthe circuit of. which are represented a single transmittingstation A andthe exchange-station B, it being understood that any number oftransmitting-stations may be employed in the same circuit as in theordinary practice.

O represents the main or telephone circuit y wire, connected at theexchange-station with a switchboard 2 of the ordinary or any preferredconstruction, a drop-coil or automatic drop D and a spring-jack J alsobeing arranged in the main or telephone circuit, all

of 'said parts being represented diagrammatically in Fig. 1.Furthermore, arranged in the main or telephone circuit is anelectromagnet M, adapted to be energized to attract an armature 3 whenthe main or telephone circuit is closed by any of the ordinary means',as in the ordinary practice upon the removal of thel telephone-receiverfrom its supportV on the` telephone-box, T representing a telephone IOOof the ordinary construction and having arranged adjacent thereto at thetransmittingstation a coin-receptacle or automatic coin- Y controlledcircuit-closing apparatus R.

The armature 3 is included in a secondary or relay circuit c, having arelay-battery 4 and a Contact 5 for said armature, which constitutes acurrent-controlled circuit-closer adapted to close the circuit throughthe relay-battery. Preferably the arms or elements of the relay-circuitwire are connected with contact-points 5 and 6, adapted to be bridged bya short-circuiting switch S, and also connected with said contact-pointsare the elements of a shunt-circuit wire c', an indicating orregistering device I being included in the shunt-circuit. By closing theswitch S the indicating or registering device is short-circuited; but byopening said switch the short circuit is removed to adapt the indicatingdevice for actuation by the relay-battery. Thus when the main ortelephone circuit is closed either by the usual circuit-closer, which iscontrolled by the telephone-receiver, or by the automaticcoin-controlled circuit-closer R the magnet M is energized to close therelaycircuit, and it' the switch S is open the current of therelay-circuit is adapted to actuate said indicator.

In the drawings I have illustrated an indicating apparatus whichincludes in its construction a casing 10, adapted to be secured to awall or other support in the exchangeroom, and a base or bottom 12, uponwhich the operating parts of the indicating device are mounted. Saidoperating devices include a magnet 13, supported by lugs 14 and 14,attached to the base and included in the circuit or branch c. Incoperative relation with the magnet is an armature 16, supported by apendent arm 17, pivotally mounted,

as at 18, to the lug or bracket 14a. The armature is yieldingly held inits normal position out of contact with the magnet by means of aretracting or return spring 19, coiled, in the construction illustrated,upon a bolt 20, extending through registering openings in said arm 17and bracket 14a. I also preferably provide the bolt 20 with auadjustingnut 21, by which the backward throw of the arm may beregulated, the head of the bolt forminga suitable stop forlimiting saidthrow.

Arranged to traverse a scale 22, which is exposed so as to be visiblefrom the outside of the indicator-casing, is a pointer or movableindicating element 23, carried by the spindle 24 of a ratchet-wheel 26,said spindle being mounted in bearings in suitable brackets 25 and thepointer having an extension or arm 36, provided with or terminating in areturn-weight 35. Arranged in operative relation with the ratchet-wheelis an operatingpawl 27, connected with the armature 1G or with the armby which said armature is carried, and also pivotally mounted upon afixed support, such as the bracket 14a, is a stop or holding pawl 28,adapted to maintain the ratchet-wheel in its adj usted positions againstreturn movement and yieldingly held in its operative position by anactuating-spring 29. In connection with the operating and stop pawls isarranged a releasing lever or rocker 30, preferably fulcrurned at anintermediate point, engaged adjacent to the extremities of its arms withsaid pawls and yieldingly held by a spring 31 in its normal position,and connected with said releasing lever or rocker is a releasing pin orrod 37, of which the outer end is disposed in the path of the switch S,whereby when said switch is turned to connect the contact-points 5 and6, and thus close the relay-circuit to short-circuit the indicatingdevice, said releasing-rod will be actuated to turn the rocker 30 andremove the extremities of the operating and holding pawls fromengagement with the teeth of the ratchetwheel, whereby the pointer maybe returned by its weight to the normal or initial position. The switchS is opened only when the operation of the indicator is desired to showthe denomination ot' the coin which is deposited in the receptacle R,and hence at other times the switch is allowed to remain in its normalposition, in which the indicator is short-circuited. Therefore theconvenience of the above-described arrangement, wherein the opening ofthe switch S to remove the short circuit of the indicator removes saidswitch from operative relation with the releasing device, while thereturn of the switch to its closed position causes the simultaneousoperation of t-he releasing device to allow the return ofthe members ofthe indicating meehanism to their normal positions, will be apparent.

The construction of the coin-receptacle in so far as the number of slotsprovided therein for the reception of the coins is concerned may bevaried to suit the demands of the public and the regulations ot' thecompany under whose authority the telephone system is operated, thedenominations of the coins varying' from a nickel upward; but for thepurpose of illustrating the construction and advantages =of my inventionI have deemed it sufficient to show a three-slot receptacle adapted forthe reception of coins of the denominations of a nickel, a dime, and aquarter, and the automatic circuit-closing devices employed at thetransmitting-stations and of 'which the coins form operative elementsare so constructed as to periodically close the ICO lIO

connection with coin-receptacles designed for the reception of coins ofstill higher denominations.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the coin-receptacle orcircuit-closing mechanism comprises a casing 40, containing a coin-box50, and which casing is provided with binding-posts 5S and 58, which areconnected in the circuit of the telephone. The binding-post 58a isconnected with a plurality of metallic coin-chutes 51', leading tothebox 50, said connection being directly through a common battery 53,which battery is adapted to be brought into the talking-circuit inseries with the telephone instrument during the operation of thecoin-circuit-closing apparatus. Above each chute 5l and paralleltherewith is supported a plate 55', each of which plates bears one ormore contact springs or fingers 6l, which project toward the base of thechutes and in the direction of passage of a coin, said lingers beingdirectly connected with the binding-post 58. The plate 55' above thenickel-chute is provided with one contact-finger, the plate above thedime-chute is provided with two contactfingers, and the plate above thequarterchute is provided with five contact-lingers, and thus as theproper coin passes down a chute it will contact with its respectivefinger or fingers a number of times equaling "its multiple of the unit,which is tive in this instance. As before mentioned, the fingers 6l areconnected with the binding-post 58, and thus if a quarter be passed downits chute it will cut the battery 53 into the talking-circuit, whichincludes the binding-posts 5S and 58, tive times, thus energizing theindicating mechanism five times in the central office, which mechanismwill then indicate that a quarter has been contributed to the box 50. Asshown in the drawings, the plates 55 are disposed at differentelevations above the bottoms ol' the chutes in order that thecontactfingers may be engaged by coins of different diameters. In orderto adjust the position of the plates to insure contact of the coins withthe spring-fingers, the plates are carried by brackets 60, secured tothe inner faces of the casing 40, and with which brackets the plates areadjustably connected through the medium of the screws 59.

In order to insure the cutting out-0f the telephone instrument from thetalking-circuit, including the conductor U, and previous to theintroduction of the circuit-closing mechanism just described, a switchis provided. One element of this switch is formed by a slotted plate 42,slidably mounted in a slotted frame 43, secured upon the upper surfaceof the cover of the casing 40 and in such a position that the slots inthe plate 42 may be brought into or out of alinement with correspondingopenings through the cover, and through which openings access is had totheir :respective coin-chutes 51. The binding-post 58 is connected witha binding-screw 46, car- The plate 42 is provided with a handle 42a tofacilitate the manipulation thereof, and thus it will be seen that whenthe plate 42 is in the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings topermit access to the coin-chutes the circuit-closing mechanism will bein series with the telephone instrument in the talking-circuit. Hencethe introduction of a particular coin will close the circuit of battery53 through the talking-circuit to operate the 'indicating mechanism.Also it will be seen that when the plate 42 is moved to the oppositeposition to throw its slots out of registration with the slots in thecasing-cover the plate will make contact with the point 45, and thuswill short-circuit the coin-circuit-closing mechanism and will close thetalking-circuit through the telephone.

rlhis being the construction of the toll-indicating apparatus embodyingmy invention, the operation thereof is substantially as follows: Asubscriber or customer having called the exchange-station by any of theusual methods and communicated the connection which he desires andhaving been instructed by the operator at the exchange-station the valueof coin which is required to entitle such subscriber to transmit amessage, the subscriber moves the switch 42, as by means of afinger-hold 42, and deposits the required coin in its proper slot. Theoperator at the exchange-station having turned the switch S to removethe short circuit of the indicating device I as soon as the subscriberwas instructed as to the Value of the coin to be dcposited, the coin intraversing the chute successively engages the contacts and thussuccessively and temporarily closes the main or telephone circuit, itbeing understood that the secondary or shunt circuit c2 has been cutinto the main circuit by the opening of the switch 42, and at eachengagement of the coin with a contact the magnet M is energized, thearmature 3 is attracted to close the relay-circuit through theindicator, and the indicator-magnet 13 attracts the armature 16, andthus advances the ratchet-wheel and the cooperating pointer through onestep. As a coin of unitary toll value will engage but one contact, it isobvious that the pointer will be advanced only one step, as shown inFig. 2, to indicate the value of said coin, whereas if the coin is of amultiple toll value the relaycircuit will be closed a number of timescorresponding with the Value ofthe coin and the pointer 23 will beadvanced through al succession of steps to designate that value. As sonas the coin has been deposited in the receptacle the subscriber mayclose the switch 42 to cut out the coin-controlled shunt or chutecircuit, and also the operator at the exchange- IOO IIO

station having ascertained that the proper coin has been deposited mayclose the switch S to short-circuit the indicator', whereupon thetelephone system is in con dition for use as under ordinarycircumstances.

It will be understood that as a coin travverses its proper chute itsuccessively closes the main or telephone circuit as it engages theseveral contacts, said coin itself forming an element of the circuit.Not only is this construction efficient and adapted to a certain extentto reduce the chances of fraud, but it is a simpliication in view ofother devices of which I am aware wherein the coin serves to actuate acircuit-closer to indicate to the operator at the exchange-station thata coin has been deposited. Furthermore, the construction describedprovides for an absolute indication ofthe value ofthe coin, owing to thestep-by-step actuation of the indicating devices.

In Fig. 1a I have shown in diagram an arrangement whereby a singleindicating device may be used in connection with a plurality oftelephone-circuits, from which it will be seen that in eachtelephone-circuit is arranged a magnet M, while a single relaycircuit isemployed with a number of armatures 3, corresponding in number with themagnets M arranged therein. The closing of the telephone-circuit througheither of said magnets will attract the cooperating armature, and thusclose the relay-circuit.

Among the advantages which I gain by the peculiar construction andarrangement of parts as disclosed in the drawings is the com.-paratively-small battery-power which is required, owing to the secondarycircuits which I have established in connection with the indicating andcoin -receiving devices. The telephone-circuit is required simply toenergize the magnet M sufficiently to attract the cooperating armatureby which the relay-circuit is closed. In other words, thetelephonecircuitis notutilized in operating the indicating device orregister, but simply to close the circuit by which said device isactuated. Ob-

viously any required number ot' batteries may be arranged in therelay-circuit to make the actions of the register positive and reliable,whereby no mistake due to an unusually abrupt engagement of the coinwith the contact can occur. It will be understood, furthermore, that inpractice various changes in the form, proportion, size, and minordetails ot' construction Within the scope of the appended claims may beresorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of theadvantages of the invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim isl. In an apparatus of theclass described, the combination with an electrical circuit andindicating devices controlled thereby, of coincontrolled circuit-closingmeans including-a series of contact-points, a coin-chute, and ancuit-closer controlling and adapted to norm ally close the slot,substantially as specified.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with anelectrical circuit and an indicator controlled by said circuit, of acoin-receptacle having a coin-slot, and a circuit-closer controllingsaid slot whereby the circuit is closed When the coin-slot is closed,substantially as speciied.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with anelectrical circuit and an indicator controlled by said circuit, of acoin-receptacle having coin-slots, a short circuit, a slide adapted tocover and uncover the coin-slots and comprising a switch controlling theshort circuit and adapted to complete the main circuit, and a coin-chuteand spaced contacts included in the short circuit, and adapted to beconnected to close the circuit by a coin traversing the chute andengaging a contact, substantially as speciied.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with anelectrical circuit and an indicator controlled by said circuit, ot acoin-receptacle having coin-slots, a short circuit, acoin-slot-controlling switch for closing the main circuit to cut out theshort circuit, and a coin-chute and spaced contacts included in theshort circuit, and adapted to be connected to close the circuit by acoin traversing the chute and engaging a contact, substantially asspecified.

7. In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with atelephone-circuit, of indicator means, electrically-operated mechanismfor controlling the action of the indicator means, a coin-receptaclehaving a coinchute and also having a slot, and a circuitclosing slidenormally covering the slot, substantially as specified.

8. In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with atelephone-circuit, of indicator means, electrically-operated mechanismfor controlling the action of the indicator means, a coin-receptaclehaving a series ot' coin-chutes provided respectively with one or morecontact-points and also having a corresponding series of coin-receivingslots, and a circuit-closing device normally covering all the slots,substantially as specified.

9. In an apparatus of the class described,

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the combination With a tele} ihone-circuit, of indicator means,electrically-operative mechanism for controlling the action of theindicator means, a coin-receptacle having a series of coin-chutesprovided respectively with one or more contact devices, and also havinga corresponding series of coin-receiving slots, a frame surrounding theslots, and a circuitcontrolling slide normally covering all the slotsand guided bysaid frame, substantially as specified.

10. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with anelectrical circuit and a toll-indicator actuated thereby, of acoinreceiver havinga coin-chute and one or more contacts included insaid circuit, and adapted to be electrically connected, to close saidcircuit, by a coin traversing the chute, and a switch for cutting thechute, contacts, and connections out of said circuit, substantially asspecified.

11. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with anelectrical circuit and a toll-indicator actuated thereby, of acoinreceiver having a coin-chute and one or more contacts included insaid circuit, and adapted to be electrically connected, to close saidcircuit, by a coin traversing the chute, and a switch for cutting saidchute and contacts out ofthe circuit, said switch being constructed tocontrol access to the chute, substantially as specified.

12. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with anelectrical circuitand a toll-indicator actuated thereby, of acoinreceiver having a coin-chute and one or more contacts included insaid circuit, and adapted to be electrically connected, to close saidcircuit, by a coin traversing the chute, and a switch for cutting saidchute and contacts out of the circuit, said switch having a slot forregistration with a coin-slot in communication with the chute,substantially as specified.

13. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with anelectrical circuit and a toll-indicator actuated thereby, of acoinreceiver having a coin-chute and one or more contactsincluded insaid circuit, and adapted to be electrically connected, to close saidcircuit, by a coin traversing the chute, and a switch for cutting saidchute and contacts out of the circuit, said switch having a coinslot forregistration with a coin-slot in communication With the chute, saidslots being out of registration when the switch is adjusted to cut outthe chute and contacts, substantially as specified.

14. In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with atelephone-circuit, of an indicator device, a pointer, a ratchetcooperative With the pointer, a pawl for operating the ratchet, amagnet, a lever carrying the armature of said magnet, coin-controlledcircuit-closing` means, and a device for throwing the pawl out ofengagement with the ratchet when a registration has been made,substantially as speciiied.

15. In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with atelephone-circuit, of an indicator device, a pointer, a ratchetcooperative with the pointer, a pawl for oper-A ating the ratchet, amagnet, a lever carrying the armature of said magnet, coin-controlledcircuit-closing means,a switclnand means counected with the switch andoperated thereby for throwing the pawl out of engagement with theratchet when a registration has been made, substantially as specified.

. 16. In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with atelephone-circuit, of an indicator device, a pointer, aratchetcooperative With the pointer, a pawl for operating the ratchet, amagnet, a lever carrying the armature of said magnet, coin-controlledcircuit -closing means, a switch, a detent adapted to engage theratchet, and means connected with the pawl and with the detent forthrowing them both out of engagement with the ratchet when aregistration has been made, substantially as specified.

17. In an apparatus ofthe class described, the combination with atelephone-circuit, of an indicator device, a pointer, a ratchetcooperative With the pointer, a pawl for operating the ratchet, a detentlocated to prevent retractive movement of the ratchet when operated bythe pawl, a magnet, a lever carrying the. armature of said magnet,coin-controlled circuit-closing means, a lever connected respectivelywith the pawl and With the detent, and means t'oroperating saidlastmentioned lever, substantially as described.

18. In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with atelephone-circuit, of an indicator device, a pointer, a ratchetcooperative with the pointer, a pawl for operating the ratchet, a detentlocated to prevent retractive movement of the ratchet when operated bythe pawl, a magnet, a lever carrying the armature of said magnet,coin-controlled circuit-closing means, a lever connected respectivelyWith the pawl and with the. detent, a switch, and a rod connectedrespectively with said last-mentioned lever and with the switch,substantially as specified.

19. In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination With atelephone-circuit, of an indicator device, a pointer, a ratchetcooperative with the pointer, a pawl for operating the ratchet, a detentlocated to prevent retractive movement of the ratchet When operated bythe pawl, a magnet, a lever carrying` the armature of said magnet, aspring acting against said lever, means for varying the stroke of thelever, coin-controlled circuit` closing means, a lever connectedrespectively with the pawl and with the detent, and means for operatingsaid last-mentioned lever, substantially as specified.

20. In an apparatus of the class specified, t-he combination With atelephone-circuit, of

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an indicator' device, a ratchet and its arbor, a pointer secured to saidarbor, a pawl for operating the ratchet, a detent located no1'- mally toprevent retractive movement of the ratchet, a magnet, a lever carryingthe armature of said magnet, coin-controlled circuitclosing means, alever connected respectively with the paWl and With the detent, meansfor operating said last-mentioned lever, a bolt connected with thearmature-lever and with the framing and provided with a nut, and acoiled spring surrounding the bolt and bearing respectively against saidarmature-lever and the framing, substantially as specified.

2l. In an automatic toll-box for telephone systems, the combination witha plurality of series of electric contacts adapted for engagement bycoins of different denominations, of

means for conveying the coins into engagement with the contacts, anelectric circuit having one terminal connected with the conveying meansand the other terminal connected with the series' of contacts, anelectromagnet in said circuit, an armature for the magnet having anindex connected there- With, and a dial over which the index is adaptedto travel, whereby said dial and index Will visibly register each coin.contributed to the toll-box.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN A. JOHNSON.

Witnesses:

JoHN O. ROSEBAUM, FOUNTAIN N. JOHNSON.

